Outlet



June 2, 1936. H. F. RICHARDSON OUTLET Filed May 24, 1935 f5 SheetS-Sheebl ATTORN EY June Z, 1936- H. F. RICHARDSON 2,042,533

OUTLET Filed May 24,' 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 97/00 /0/02 "'fD i.

June 2, 1936.

H. F. RlcHARDsoN 2,042,633

OUTLET Filed May 24, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNvENToR Z4 HEM/@y @HG1/50N,QM/7149050# Myw ATTORNEY Patented June 2, 191,36

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEI Application May 24, 1933,

snm 10.012.523

13 Claims. (Ul. 113-330) Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantiallyon This invention relates to electrical conductors and connections andmore particularly pertains to outlets for underoor electric wiringconduit, or duct systems.

y In systems of this character, the electrical conductors are generallyenclosed in raceways of impregnated fibre or other material disposed beflow the oor level, and the apparatus or equipment to which electricityis to be supplied-is connected to these electrical conductors atconvenient points through, or by means of, outlets which are ordinarilyconnected to the raceways and extend upwardly through the floor andabove the level thereof. When the floor is covered with woven coverings,such as rugs or carpeting, it has heretofore been necessary to cut orbind or otherwise more or less permanently injure the covering to permitthe outlets now in use to pass therethrough. Y

VThe present invention provides a novel outlet for an underfloorelectric wiring conduit or duct system which permits current to betransmitted through a woven floor covering from the underfioor systemtothe electrical equipment without injuryY to the covering. In thepreferred forms of the invention herein disclosed, means are alsoprovided in conjunction with the outlet for accuratelyY locating theelectrical contacts underneath the floor and covering, so that they maybe readily connected with the terminals to be disposed above the floorlevel, but such locating means may be dispensed with under somecircumstances, if desired.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanyingV drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which: Fig. 1 isa vertical sectional view of a duct of an underfloor system and anoutlet therefor embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 2--2of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 ofFig. 2; n

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper terminal block shown in Figs. 1 to 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the principal parts of the outlet shown inFigs. l to 4 inclusive; M, Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view ofanother form of the invention;

Fig. '7 is a transverse, partial sectional view taken substantially online 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of another 5;. form of theinvention;

-33, and internally line 3-3 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a further form of the invention;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views of another form of the invention,Fig. l1 being taken substantially on line lI-H of Fig. l2 and Fig. l2being taken substantially on line |2-l2 of Fig. 1l;

Figs. 13 and 14 are vertical sectional views of further forms of theinvention; and

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line I5-I5of Fig. 14.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 5inclusive of the drawings, reference character designates a section offlooring of concrete or other material having an upper, relatively thinlayer 2l of cement or other material. A conduit or duct 22 of generallyoval shape, and forming part of an underfloor wiring system, well knownin the art, is embedded in the concrete 20 at a suitable distance belowthe door level 23. The duct 22 may be of impregnated fibre or othermaterial and may be of any configuration or construction, other thanthat shown. AnY adjustable insert or housing 2l provided with hexagonalor flattened sides 25 to facilitate the gripping and turning thereof bysuitable tools, is threaded in the upper wall ofthe duct 22 until theupper surface of the insert is flush or approximately flush with thefloor level 23. As shown in Fig. 1, duct 22 carries a cable 26 havingtwo conductors 21, but any desired number of cables having any suitablenumber of conductors may obviously be carried by the duct 22 and theunderfloor system i.

A lower terminal block 28, of suitable insulating material is threadedinto the upper end of the insert 24, and is provided with a centralaperture 29, two metallic terminals and 3i secured to the block 28 atthe bottom and at oppofsite sides of a recess 32 in block 28 by screwsthreaded sockets 34 and 35 disposed preferably at diametrically oppositepoints in the terminal block and parallel to the axis thereof with theupper ends of the sockets iiush with the upper surface of the block. Theterminals 30 and 3l are provided with threaded apertures 36'and 31respectively, and are electrically connected to the conductors 21 of thecable 26 by wires 33 and 39 by means ofthe screws 33. Block 28 isprovided with an annular flange 40, the lower surface of which isadapted 2 to bear against an internal annular flange 4| of the insert24. A circular disc 42 oi' fibrous material is disposed over theterminal block 28 and the latter is threaded into the insert 24 to anextent suiilcient to permit the upper surface of the disc 42 to be ilushwith the floor level 23. Disc 42 is provided with apertures 43 and 44which are adapted to register with the sockets 34 and 35 and also withapertures 45 and 46 which register with the apertures 36 and 31 in theterminals 30 and 3|. Dowels 41 and 48 having their lower ends threadedand their upper ends tapered, as clearly shown in the drawings, arethreaded into the sockets 34 and 35 respectively, in the lower terminalblock 28. 'I'hese dowels may be threaded into the sockets to any desiredextent and it is their function to pierce the woven floor covering 49and to extend above the pile thereof when the covering is laid on thefloor and to accurately locate the terminals 30 and 3| and particularlythe apertures 36 and 31 therein, as will presently appear.

An upper terminal block 50, preferably of lnsulating material and ofcylindrical form with a diameter approximately the same or slightlylarger than the diameter of the lower terminal block 28, is providedwith opposed apertures 5| and 52 which are large enough to receive theupper tapered ends of the dowels 41 and 48.

with the apertures 36 and 31 respectively of the lower terminal block 28when the outlet is assembled. Angular contact members 56 and 51 eachhave one leg secured to the terminal block 50 in the slot 53 with theother leg extending substantially at right angles to the first mentionedleg of each contact' member 56 and 51 is provided with an aperture 59which registers with the apertures 54 and 55. The outer cylindricalsurface of the terminal block 5D is threaded as indicated at 68.Suitable electrical conducting means are provided to connect theterminals of the upper and lower terminal blocks and to conduct currentthrough the woven floor covering without injury thereto. As shown inFigs. l to 5 inclusive, the electrical conducting means comprises a pairof screws 6| and 62 having their lower ends tapered as indicated at 63,so as to readily pierce the floor covering, and an adjacent threadedportion 64 adapted to engage the threads of the threaded apertures 36and 31 and a shank 65 which is preferably covered by suitable insulatingmaterial 66 such as an enamel or "Bakelite.

A cylindrical `socket member 61 is provided with oppositely disposedcontact members 68 and 69 which are adapted to be brought into contactwith the contact members 56 and 51 of the upper terminal block 50 andsecured thereto by means of screws 10 and 1|. The socket member isfurther provided with T-shaped slots or openings 12 and 13 which extendthrough the upper surface thereof. The sockets 61 may be of anyconvenient diameter but is preferably of a slightly smaller outsidediameter than the diameter of the threaded cylindrical portion 68 of theupper terminal block 50. It will be understood that the contact members68 and 69 may be of any suitable configuration to afford contacts withmembers inserted into the slots 12 and 13 of the socket 61. A thimble 14having an annucontact members 88 and lar flange 1l extending outwardlyfrom the lower portion thereof is provided with internal threads 18 alsoat the lower portion thereof which are adapted to engage the threads 60of the upper The outlet is assembled as indicated in Fig. 5 of thedrawings. Assuming that the duct 22 carrying the cable 26 and the insert24 have been are connected at their upper ends to the terminals 30 and3| by means of the dowels 41 and 48 are then threaded into the sockets34 and 35 until the upper ends of these dowels project the desiredheight above the floor level which will normally be Just above the pileof the covering 49 when laid on the floor. insulating disc 42 is thenlaid face of the blockv 28 with the extending through the dowelapertures 43 and 44. The covering is then laid on the floor and thepointed ends of the dowels pierce the covering and appear above the pilethereof. The upper termiand pushed through the floor covering andthreaded into the apertures 36 and 31 respectively. 'lhe screws 6| and62 are turned down to the desired extent to maintain the upper terminalblock 59 in the desired position. The socket 61 is then placed on theterminal block 50 so that the Shanks of the screws 1| are received inthe slots 58 of the contact members 56 and 51, after which the screws 1|are turned up tight to providecontact between the terminals 56 and 68and 51 and 69. 'I'he thimble 14 is then placed over the socket 61 and isthreaded on to the upper terminal block 50 and after being turned downto the desired extent is set in position by means of the set screw 11.'Ihe plug 18 is then inserted in the socket 61 and the current is thustransmitted from-the cable 26 in the duct 22 to the electrical apparatusor equipment above the floor level.

With this arrangement it will be perceived that electrical current istransmitted from a point below the floor level through the wovencovering on the floor to the electrical consuming equipscrews 33. The:1:

ment without in any way injuring or damaging the door covering. Thedowels 46 and 41 and the screws 6| and 62 may be made small enough so asto pierce the covering without any injury whatsoever thereto. The outletis readily and quickly assembled and by the use of the locating dowels41 and 48, the terminals of the upper and lower terminal blocks arebrought into accurate alignment so that no difllculty is encountered inquickly connecting them both electrically and physically. Although inthe form of the invention shown in Figs. l to inclusive, bothfiaterminal block and a superposed socket 61 are utilized, it will beunderstood that these two members may be combined in a single member ifdesired, so as to provide a contact member of any desired height abovethe iloor level. The outlet lies close to the door level and presents apleasing appearance.

In lieu of using two spaced dowels, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive,for locating the terminals in the lower terminal block and for bringingthe terminals in the lower and upper terminal blocks into accuratealignment, a single centrally located dowel, 6 and 7, may be utilized ifdesired. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the lower terminal block designatedis provided with an outwardly extending flange 8| which is adapted torest against the shoulder 82 of the insert 83 when the block 80 ispositioned in the insert. Suitable threaded means such as the screws 84shown, secure the block 80 to the insert. Terminals 85 and 86 aresecured to the lower portion of the block 80, as shown, and areconnected to the wires 38 and 39 by means of suitable screws 33. Theterminals 85 and 86 are provided with threaded apertures similar to theapertures 36 and 31 in the terminals 30 and 3| shown in Figs. l to 5inclusive, and apertures 01 and 88 in .the terminal block 80 registerwith these apertures. Block 80 is provided with a centrally disposedupwardly extending dowel 89 provided with a tapered upper end and with alongitudinally extending V-shaped notch 90 extending from the upper endof the dowel to approximately the upper surface of the terminal block80. The dowel is secured to the terminal block 80 by any suitable meanssuch as the screw 9 I, shown. An upper terminal block 92 is providedwith a centrally disposed socket 93 having a longitudinally extendingV-shaped key or ridge 94 projecting from the inner cylindrical wall ofthe socket and which is adapted to be received in the slot or key way 90in the dowel 89. The socket 93 may or may not, as desired, extendentirely through the upper terminal block 92. The dowel 89 is fixed inposition on the lower terminal block 80 by any suitable means such asindicated at 95 so that the notch or key way 90 is maintained in adeiinite position with respect to the apertures in the terminals 85 and86 and the socket 93 is fixed in the upper terminal block 92 by anyconvenient means, as by the iianges 96 on the socket sothat the key orridge 94 bears the same denite relation with respect to the position ofthe terminals 56 and 51 as the terminals 85 and 86 bear to the notch 90in the dowel 89 in order that when the upper terminal block 92 is placedin position with the key 94 registering with the key way 90, theterminals 85 and 86 in the lower terminal block 80 and the terminals 56and 51 of the upper terminal block 92 are in accurate alignment.Accordingly, when the screws 6| and 62 are inserted in the apertures 54and 55 of the upper terminal block and are such as shown in Figs.

pushed through the covering 49, they readily enter the apertures in theterminals 85 and 86 of the lower terminal block and may be quicklythreaded thereinto, thus providing the required electrical connectionbetween the upper and lower terminal blocks as has been previouslydescribed in connection with the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5inclusive. Obviously, an insulating disc similar to disc 42 shown inFigs. 1 to 5 may be employed in the form of the invention shown in Figs.6 and '1, if desired.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 a single centrallylocated dowel is utilized for not only locating the lower terminal blockand the terminals thereon but is in addition utilized to secure `theupper and lower terminal blocks together. Referring to these gures, thelower terminal block 91 has a dowel 98 which is threaded at bothends andis provided with a collar 99 between the threaded portion thereof. The

upper end of the dowel is tapered so as to permit it to readily piercethe woven iloor covering and the lower end is threaded into a socket |00disposed centrally of the lower terminal block 91. In this form of theinvention the lower terminal block is provided with annular contactsconcentrically disposed with respect to the dowel 98 and with eachother. The inner annular contact is designated |0| andthe outer annularcontact is designated |02. suitable construction and are provided withscrews |03 which serve to connect the wires 39 and 38 to the contactmembers IDI and |02 respectively. The upper terminal block |04 isprovided With an axially disposed socket |05 which is internallythreaded to receive the upper threaded end of the dowel 98. The block|04 also has a longitudinally extending aperture |06 which is at aradial distance from the socket |05 equal to the radius of the annularcontact |0| and also has a longitudinally extending aperture |01 whichis disposed at a radial distance from the socket |05 equal to the radiusof the annular contact member |02. Contact members |08 and |09, similarto the contacts 56 and 51, are mounted on the upper surface of the theapertures in the horizontally extending portions thereof in alignmentwith the apertures |06 and |01. -Screws ||0 and having,their upper shankportions threaded to engage corresponding threaded portions of thecontact members |08 and |09 and with their lower portions of ,a somewhatreduced diameter and covered with a suitable insulating material such asenamel or Bakelite and with their end portions pointed or tapered, asshown, to permit them to be readily forced through the rug or carpetingon the floor, are utilized to effect electrical connection between thecontacts of the upper and lower terminal blocks. Lock nuts ||2 may beutilized, if desired, to maintain the screws ||0 and in the desiredposition. With this arrangement, after the lower terminal block 91 hasbeen placed in position in the insert 83 and the wires 38 and 39 havebeen connected to the annular contact members |0| and |02, the rug orcarpeting is placed on the door and the dowel |05 pierces the rug andextends above the pile thereof. The upper terminal block |04 is thenthreaded on to the dowel |85 until the block |04 bears more or lesssnugly against the rug 49, after which the screws l0 and are inserted intheir respective sockets in the upper terminal block and are turned downuntil the lower ends theerof have pierced the rug 49 and have come intocontact with mem- These contacts may be of any 1 terminal mock ma with 4ing material |21.

bers 0| and |02 thus 'making the necessary electrical connection throughthe rug between the upper and lower terminal blocks. In this embodiment,it will be seen that the dowel provides the means for physicallysecuring the upper and lower terminal blocks together while the screws||0 and merely serve to transmit the electrcal current through the rugbetween the terminals in the upper and lower terminal blocks.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 10, a single dowel isutilized for the terminal locating means and the means for securing theterminal blocks together in addition to carrying current. 'I'he lowerterminal block ||5 is provided with an aperture ||5 in the base ||1thereof, through which` the wires 38 and 39 are inserted. A smalldiameter dowel 8 is centrally disposed with respect to the block |l5 andis secured thereto by any suitable means such as by being threaded intoan electrical conducting block ||9 secured to the base H1, as shown. Theupper end of the dowel is tapered or pointed as indicated at tofacilitate the piercing of the rug or other iloor covering. Wire 38 iselectrically connected to the block ||9 by means of screw |2| and wire39 is connected to electrical conducting block |22 or to the contactmember |23 secured to block |22. 'I'he upper terminal block |24 has acontact member |25 provided with an aperture which receives the upperend of the dowel 8 and an electrical connection is made with the dowelby means of a nut |26 threaded on the upper end of the dowel intocontact with the member |25. The central portion of the dowel ||8 isprovided with material such as enamel or metallic or other electrical|28 is placed over the insulat- A second layer or tube of insulatingmaterial |29 is disposed over the sleeve |28 to insulate the latter fromthe rug and the upper and lower terminal blocks. f* intact member |23 isarranged to contact the sleeve |28 adjacent its lower end and contactmember |30 on the upper block |24 is arranged to contact the upper endof the sleeve |28. Acontact |3| similar to the contacts 58 or 51 maycarry the current from the contact |25 to a socket such a's the socket61. An insulating disc |32 is disposed over the lower terminal block||5. With this embodiment the current is carried through the dowel fromwire 38 to the contact member 3| and through the insulated sleeve |28from wire 39 to the contact |30. In Fig. 10, for the sake of clarity,the dowel, the sleeve |28 and the insulation for the dowel and sleevehave been shown on a somewhat enlarged scale, but it will be un-nderstood that these parts may be made as small in diameter as desired soas to obviate injury to the rug or other floor covering.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. and l2, two spaced dowelssimilar to the dowels 41 and 48 are employed to locate the lowerterminal block and the terminals thereon, but a single means, similar ingeneral to the current carrymeans shown in Fig. 10, is utilized to carrythe current. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the lower terminal block |35is provided with spaced dowels |38 and |31 which may be detachablysecured to the block |35. These dowels are similar in all respects tothe dowels 41 and 48, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. Wire 38 issecured to one end of an arcuate contact member |38 by means of a screw|39, the other end of W ch is centrally disposed with respect to thelower terminal conducting sleeve block |35 and as shown is provided witha threadnected to one end of 'dicated in ed aperture adapted to receivethe lower threaded end |4| of a screw |42 having a head |43. The lowerend of screw |42 is tapered or pointed as indicated at |44 to permit thescrew to readily pierce the floor covering. The wire 39 is conanarcurate contact member |45 by means of a screw |46, the other end |41of which is provided with an upstanding portion |48. The shank of screw|42 is provided with a layer, coat or sleeve |49 of insulating material,such as enamel or Bakelite, which extends from the threaded portion |4|of the shank to the head M3 and under the entire surface of the head |43as indicated at |50. A metallic or other electrical conducting sleeve|5| is placed over the layer of insulating material |49 and the sleeve|5| is provided at its upper end as shown in Fig. 12, with an annularilange |52 which is insulated from the head |43 of the screw |42 `bv theinsulating material |50. A. layer or sleeve |53 of insulating materialis disposed over the greater portion ofthe sleeve |5| in order toinsulate the latter from the oor covering and the upper and lowerterminal blocks. The upstanding portion |48 of arcuate contact |45engages the lower end of sleeve |5|, as clearly in- Fgs. 11 and 12. Theupper terminal block |54 is provided with a pair of longitudinallyextending apertures |55 and |56 which are adapted to receive the upperends of the dowels |36 and i31 and is further provided with a centrallydisposed aperture |51 which is large enough in diameter to receive thescrew |42 together with the sleeve |5| and the insulating materialthereon. A contact member |58 is secured to the upper surface of theterminal block |54 and is provided with a portion |59 which is adaptedto contact with the head |43 of the screw |42. A contact member is alsosecured to the upper surface of the terminal block |54 and is providedwith an aperture which is adapted to receive the sleeve |5i on screw |42and to contact with the flange |52 of the sleeve l5| when the outlet isassembled and the screw |42 is turned down in position. The Contactmembers |58 and |60 may be provided with slots similar to the slots 58in the contact members 58 and 51, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, toaccommodate the terminals of a socket member such as socket B1. Aninsulating disc 56| of suitable |36 and |31 project above the pile ofthe covering 49 and serve to accurately locate the lower terminal block|35. The screw 42 and the sleeve 5| mounted thereon serve to conduct theelectrical current from the lower., terminal block or other woven floorcovering members |58 and |60 on the upper terminal block. from wire 38through the screw |42 to the contact |58 and from wire 39 through thesleeve 5| to the contact |68. For clarity of illustration, the screw|42, sleeve |5| and the insulating material therefor have been shown ona relatively enlarged scale, but these parts may, of course, be made ofany size small enough to prevent injury to the floor covering.

As illustrated in Fig. 13,

'I'he current is conducted Fig. 13, the lower terminal block |62 isprovided with a central aperture |63 through which the wires 38 and 39are passed. Wire 38 is connected to a metallic or other electricalconducting terminal |64 secured to the block |62 and wire 39 isconnected to a similar terminal |65 also secured to the block |62. Adowel |66 is secured at its lower end in any suitable manner to theterminal |64 and a dowel |61 is also secured at its lower end to theterminal |65. Both dowels extend upwardly from or at right angles to theterminal block |62 and each is provided with an insulating sleeve orlayer of material, such as enamel or Bakelite", designated |68. Theupper ends of both dowels are tapered or pointed as indicated at |69 tofacilitate their piercing the woven floor covering 49. An upper terminalblock is provided with longitudinally extending apertures |1| which areadapted to receive the dowels |66 and |61. A contact member |12 issecured to the upper surface of the terminal block |10 and is providedwith an aperture adapted to receive the upper end of the dowel |66 asshown, and is electrically connected therewith by means of a nut |13 orother sultable means. A contact member |14 is likewise secured to theupper surface of the terminal block |10 and is also provided with anaperture which is adapted to receive the upper end portion of the dowel|61 and is electrically connected thereto by means of a nut |15 or othermeans. The contacts |12 and |14 may be provided with slots similar tothe slots 58 in the contacts 56 and 51, showndn Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive,for electrical connection with a socket member, such as socket s1. Adise 11s of suitable insulating material provided with apertures toreceive the dowels |66 and |61 is positioned over the lower terminalblock |52.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 14 and 15 no means areprovided for piercing the rug or other woven floor covering to locatethe lower terminal block or the terminals thereon. With the arrangementdisclosed in these figures the terminals are located either by measuringor by electrical or electro-magnetic means which are well known in theart or by any other suitable means. Referring to Figs. 14 and l5, thelower terminal block |80 is provided with a terminal |8| having athreaded aperture and another terminal |82 also having a threadedaperture. rEhe terminal block |80 is provided with longitudinallyextending apertures |83 which register with the threaded apertures inthe terminals |8| and |82. Wire 38 is connected to the terminal |8| bysuitable means and wire 39 is likewise connected to the terminal |82.The upper terminal block |84 has a pair of longitudinally extendingapertures |9| which are disposed so as to register with apertures in theterminals |8| and |82. Contacts |85 and |86 are secured to the uppersurface of the terminal block |84 and the leg of each contact whichengages the block |84 is provided with an aperture which registers withthe apertures |9|. A screw |81 having its shank insulated as indicatedat |88 serves to connect the terminal |8| with the terminal |85 and ascrew |89 having its shank insulated asindicated at |90 is adapted toelectri-L cally connect the terminal |82 with `terminal |86. With thisarrangement it will be perceived that when the terminals |8| and |82 aremore or less accurately located by measuring orby electrical orelectro-magnetic means, the upper terminal block |84 may\ be placed onthe rug over the lower terminal block |80 and the screws |81 and |88 maybe inserted in the apertures |9| and forced through the rug and threadedinto terminals |8| and |82 thereby electrically connecting the upper andlower terminal blocks. 5

In all of the embodiments of the invention hereby disclosed it will beperceived that the electric current is transmitted through the floorcovering without the necessity of injury to the covering. l0

Although the invention has been illustrated and described as beingparticularly well adapted for use with woven floor coverings such asrugs or carpeting, it will be understood that it may be effectivelyutilized with other types or kinds l5 of floor coverings as well, suchfor example as linoleum or the like. The expressions woven oor covering,woven covering or covering" as used herein or in the claims heretoappended are intended to include linoleum and the like as well as rugs,carpets and the like. In all forms of the invention disclosed, the meansfor physically securing the upper and lower terminal blocks or theterminals thereon together, may be dispensed with if desired.

Where dowels or other means are employed to locate the terminals belowthe floor covering, such dowels or other means may be removed after theterminals below the covering have been located and current carryingmembers may be substituted therefor to provide three or four-waycircuits or to provide more than two terminals above the iloor level.The additional terminals both above and below the floor level will, ofcourse, be suitably insulated from each other and from the otherterminals and equipment.

Inasmuch as many variations in the forms of the invention hereindisclosed may be made without departing from the principle of theinvention, and because one or more features of one form herein disclosedmay be utilized with one or more features of another form, no intentionis entertained to limit the invention except by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering Without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising terminals disposedon an insulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors,terminal locating means removably secured to said lower member andarranged to extend through the covering without substantial injurythereto, said locating means being removable from the upper portion ofsaid member, an upper member comprising terminals disposed on aninsulating `body and having means for cooperating with the locatingmeans to permit the disposition of the terminals on the upper memberabove the terminals on the lower member, and m'eans for extendingthrough the covering without substantial injury thereto to electricallyconnect the upper and lower terminals.

2. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering Without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising terminals disposedon an insulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors,terminal locating Ameans removably secured to said lower member andarranged to extend through the covering without substantial injurythereto, said locating" means being removable from the upper portion` ofsaid member, an

upper member comprising terminals disposed on aninsulatingbodyand havingmeans for cooperating with the locating means to permit the dispositionof the terminalson the upper member above the terminals on the lowermember, and means for extending through the covering without substantlalinjury thereto to electrically connect the upper and lower terminals,the arrangement being such that the upper and lower members are securedtogether.

3. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising terminals disposedon an insulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors,terminal locating means removably secured to said lower member andarranged to extend through the covering without substantial injurythereto, said locating means being removable from the upper portion ofsaid member, an upper member comprising terminals disposed on aninsulating body and having means for cooperating with the locating meansto permit the disposition of the terminals on the upper member above theterminals on the lower member, and means for extending through thecovering without substantial injury thereto to electrically conneet theupper and lower terminals, the arrangement being such that the upper andlower members are secured together in spaced relationship.

4. An outlet providing terminals above a covn ering electricallyconnected therethrough to conductors below the covering withoutsubstantial injury to the covering, including a lower memberl comprisingterminals disposed on an insulatlng body and arranged for connection tothe conductors, terminal locating means comprising spaced dowelsremovably secured to said lower member and arranged to extend throughthe covering without substantial injury thereto, said locating meansbeing removable from the upper portion of said member, an upper membercomprising terminals disposed on an insulating body and having means forcooperating with the lo-1 cating means to permit the disposition of theterminals on the upper member above the terminals on the lower member,and' means for extending through the covering without substantial injurythereto to electrically connect the upper and lower terminals.

5. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising terminals disposedon an insulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors,terminal locating means consisting of a dowel removably secured to saidlower member and arranged to extend through the covering withoutsubstantial injury thereto, said locating means being removable from theupper portion of said 'memben an upper member comprising terminalsdisposed on an insulating body, said dowel and upper member havingportions which register with each'other to thereby locate the upperterminals substantially directly above the lower terminals, and meansfor extending through the covering without substantial injury thereto toelectrically connect the upper and lower terminals.

6. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising annular terminalsdisposed on an insulating body and arranged for connection to theconductors, terminal locating means removably secured to said lowermember and arranged to extend through the covering without sub--stantial injury thereto, said locating means being removable from theupper portion of said memm ber, an upper member comprising terminalsdis-- posed on ran insulating body and having means for cooperating withthe Ilocating means to permit the disposition of the terminals on theupper member above the terminals on the lower member, and means forextending through the cover ing without substantial injury thereto toelectrically connect the upper and lower terminals.

7. An outlet providing terminals above a cov-r ering electricallyconnected therethrough to con ductors below the covering withoutsubstantial injury to the covering, comprising terminals disposed on aninsulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors, terminallocating means secured to said lower member and arranged to extendthrough the covering without substantial injury thereto, an upper membercomprising terminals disposed on an insulating body and having means forcooperating with the locating means to permit the disposition of theterminals on the upper member above the terminals on the lower member,and means for extending through the covering without substantial injurythereto to electrically connect the upper and lower terminals, said lastmentioned means having a threaded portion for engagement with one ofsaid members for securing said members together.

8. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising terminals disposedon an insulating body and arranged for connection to the conductors,terminal locating means comprising a dowel secured to said lower memberand arranged to extend through the covering without extending throughthe covering without substantial injury thereto to electrically connectthe upper and lower terminals, the dowel and the upper member havingcooperating threaded parts for securing together the upper and lower members in spaced relationship.

9. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electrically connectedtherethrough to conductors below the covering without substantial injuryto the covering, including a lower member comprising arcuate terminalsdisposed on an inw including a lower member lili trically connect theupper and lower terminals.

10. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electricallyconnected therethrough to conductors below the covering withoutsubstantial injury to the covering, including a lower member comprisingterminals disposed on an insulating body and arranged for connection tothe conductors, terminal locating means removably secured to said lowermember and arranged to extend through the covering without substantialinjury thereto, said locatingmeansbeing removable from the upper portionof said member, an upper member comprising terminals disposed on aninsulating body and having means for cooperating with the locating meansto permit the disposition of the terminals on the upper member above theterminals on the lower member, and means for extending through thecovering without substantial injury thereto to electrically connect theupper and lower terminals, the arrangement being such that the upper andlower members are secured together and maintained in spacedrelationship.

1l. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electricallyconnected therethrough to conductors below the covering withoutsubstantial injury to the covering, including a lower member comprisingterminals disposed on an insulating body and arranged for connection tothe conductors, terminal locating means comprising spaceddowels'removably secured to said lower member and arranged to extendthrough the covering without substantial injury thereto, said locatingmeans being removable from the upper portion of said member, an uppermember comprising terminals disposed on an insulating body and havingmeans for cooperating with the locating means to permit the dispositionof the terminals on the upper member above the terminals on the lowermember, and means for extending through the covering without substantialinjury thereto to electrically connect the upper and lower terminals,said last mentioned means being arranged for securement to one of saidmembers.

12. An outlet providing terminals above a covering electricallyconnected therethrough to conductors below the covering withoutsubstantial injury to the covering, including a lower member comprisingterminals disposed on an insulating body and arranged for connection tothe conductors, terminal locating means comprising a dowel removablysecured to said lower member and arranged to extend through the coveringwithout substantial injury thereto, said locating means being removablefrom the upper portion of said 10 member, an upper member comprisingterminals disposed on an insulating body, said dowel and upper memberhaving portions which register with each other tol thereby locate theupper terminals substantially directly above the lower terminals, andmeans for extending through the covering without substantial injurythereto to electrically connect the upper and lower terminals, said lastmentioned means being arranged for securement to 13. An outlet providingterminalsabove a covering electrically connected therethrough to con- Mductors below the covering without substantial injury to the covering,including a lower member comprising annular terminals disposed on aninsulatlng body and arranged for connection to the conductors, terminallocating means comprising a dowel removably secured to said lower memberand disposed substantially centrally of the annular terminals andarranged to extend through the covering without substantial injurythereto, said locating means being removable from the upper portion ofsaid member, an upper member comprising terminals disposed on aninsulating body, the dowel andthe upper member having cooperatingthreaded parts for securing together the upper and lower members inspaced relationship and to permit the disposition of the upper terminalsabove the lower terminals, and means for extending through the coveringwithout sub- 4,0

stantial injury thereto to electrically connect the upper and lowerterminals, said last mentioned means being arranged for securement toone of said members.

HENRY FERGUSON RICHARDSON. 5

one of said members. Z0

